Page 80 of The Prices We Pay
Dante proceeded to lather my legs in lotion, deliciously digging his fingers into muscles that I didn’t even know I had. And when I was practicallycomatose, he scooped me back up, laid me in bed, undressed himself, and crawled right in next to me. The last thing I remember was resting my head against his chest and his arm tucked beneath my neck as his fingers played with my hair.
It was… well, I don’t have any other word to describe it besides…lovely.
A girl could get used to all of this pampering.
Not wanting to pop this peaceful morning bubble quite yet, I blindly reach across the bed toward Luca’s nightstand, where Dante plugged my phone in.
Grabbing it, I pull up the text thread between my brother and me. He doesn’t have a competition any time soon, which means he’s already awake and working at the ranch.
Me
Hey, Jas. I know you and the guys are probably busy playing Cowboys, but can you call me when you have a minute?
I nervously tap at the side of my phone, waiting for it to ring. If he doesn’t already know about Dad, I want him to find out from me.
Instead of a call, a text message comes through:
Jasper
No pretending here, Joe Joe. Breaking in some green colts today. Can I call you tonight?
Jasper
Everything okay?
I mean… no, not really. But there’s no sense in worrying him all day. Because I know that as soon as I tell him, it’s going to take everything in me to convince him not to hunt Dad down and kill him himself.
Me
I’m good. Just call me tonight when you’re done. Tell Lawson to call me if he needs me to come show you boys how it’s done.
Jasper may be the rodeo star, but they all know I can ride with the best of them. I couldn’t even count the number of times the five of us would jump on the back of a horse and race to the river for a swim. I won more than any of you will ever admit, and to this day, they will tell you they let me, but regardless, a win is a win. It’s the sunrises and sunsets where I find myself missing Montana the most, though. I love the life I’ve built for myself here, despite the uptick in dangerous acquaintances recently. I don’t necessarily miss Billings. Shit, I don’t miss it at all. But what I do miss is Lavender Hallow Ranch and the family that gave me a piece of heaven when my life felt like it was a living hell. I miss climbing on a horse and chasing the sunrise, and camping out in the hallow and watching the sunset.
Jasper
Beau and Linc literally just laughed out loud.
Me
And what did Law say???
Jasper
…he said to have your phone on standby.
I smile widely at my phone.
Me
That’s what I thought. Now, get back to work.
“What are you smiling at over there?” I look up to find Enzo leaning against the bedroom door frame, smiling like a loon, with his phone pointed right at us. His sweatpants are hung sinfully low. His dark brown hair is sticking out in all directions, and his sleepy green eyes have their ever-present mischievous twinkle.
“Did you just take a picture of us?”
“The two of you look cute as fuck. Couldn’t pass up the opportunity.” He tucks his phone back in his pocket and crosses his arms over his bare, tattooed chest.
“Was just texting my brother,” I answer his initial question, not bothering to lecture him about taking creepy pictures of people because that’s actually really fucking adorable.
